Man Utd v Chelsea

A deflected Juan Mata strike gave Chelsea a victory at a lacklustre Manchester United which lifts the Blues up to third in the Premier League.

Earlier, Oscar's shot for the visitors was palmed on to the post by keeper Anders Lindegaard before United's Robin van Persie glanced a shot just wide.

Analysis

Jonathan PearceBBC Match of the Day commentator

"For Manchester United I think it was a game too many after winning the title. It ended tempestuously. Juan Mata helped give Chelsea the win which was a huge stride towards the Champions League next season and leaves Tottenham and Arsenal worried."

The match appeared to be petering out when Mata's 87th minute shot went in off Phil Jones and the post.

Moments later, United's Rafael was sent off for kicking David Luiz.

The Brazilian defender was seen smiling on the ground after Rafael's crude challenge as the game ended in the kind of fiery intensity the match had largely lacked.

With victory edging Chelsea a point ahead of Arsenal in the race for the Champions League places, Rafael Benitez's men - who have a game in hand over the Gunners - will be more satisfied by the win than the quality of their performance.

The Blues are three points in front of fifth-placed Tottenham, who they play on Wednesday. If Chelsea win that game it should all but guarantee them a top-four place.

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Man Utd 0-1 Chelsea: Rafa Benitez delighted with 'massive' win

After both of their London rivals had won on Saturday, the pressure was on Chelsea to follow suit in their 65th match of the season.

In what was also their 12th game in 37 days, the visitors quickly took the initiative and created the first threat on goal, with the teasing Mata crossing for the stretching Demba Ba to head over.

Another Mata cross fell to Ba at the far post and, although the Chelsea forward did well to take the ball down on his chest, he could only strike an air shot before United cleared their lines.

There was a lack of zip and urgency about the home side and they almost paid the price when Oscar ran unchallenged at goal before having a shot palmed onto the post by Lindergaard.

Chelsea failed to provide the cutting edge to capitalise on the Old Trafford side's lack of intensity, with Victor Moses sweeping a shot over as the Blues again squandered a promising opening.

United's disciplined and determined defending was their saving grace before they briefly found some attacking rhythm, with Van Persie twice going close just before the break.

Match facts

Manchester United's defeat by Chelsea meant they have failed to score for the first time in 67 successive home league games.

Chelsea's win helped them beat Manchester United in the Premier League for the first time in five meetings.

The Dutchman latched onto an incisive pass from Ryan Giggs only to glance a shot just wide before Van Persie headed straight at Blues keeper Petr Cech from a Nemanja Vidic cross.

Chelsea responded by trying to increase the pace of the game after the break, although they struggled to prise a way through the United backline as chances were hard to come by at both ends.

However, there was to be late drama.

Chelsea midfielder Ramires tackled Wayne Rooney on the edge of the Blues box before powering forward and passing to Oscar, who laid the ball off for Mata to send a shot in off Jones and the post.

United were angry the challenge by Ramires was not deemed a foul, while Rafael's frustration boiled over into a cynical challenge on Luiz as he incurred his side's first red card of the season.

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Man Utd 0-1 Chelsea: Ferguson - We lacked edge

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson:

"There is always an expectation that we should do better. We expected a better performance. After the goal we had no time to get back in the game.

"It was difficult for players coming in. Chelsea had everything to play for. They [some of our players] haven't played for quite a while. That being said, we should be doing better.

"He [Rafael] retaliates but he [David Luiz] quite clearly elbows him twice then rolls about like a dying swan, and that convinces the referee. He was smiling, it's bad. What kind of professional is that?"

Robin van Persie (Man Utd) caught offside. Free kick taken right-footed by David Luiz (Chelsea) from own half, resulting in open play.

82:02

Foul by Patrice Evra (Man Utd) on Juan Mata (Chelsea). Free kick taken right-footed by David Luiz (Chelsea) from left channel (25 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Anders Lindegaard (Man Utd).

80:58

Attacking throw-in by Ashley Cole (Chelsea).

80:15

Free kick taken right-footed by Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea) from own half, resulting in open play.

80:15 Booking

Booking Phil Jones (Man Utd) booked for unsporting behaviour.

80:11

Foul by Phil Jones (Man Utd) on Nascimento Ramires (Chelsea).

79:32

Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Ryan Giggs (Man Utd) to centre, clearance by Fernando Torres (Chelsea).

78:30

Foul by Wayne Rooney (Man Utd) on Ashley Cole (Chelsea). Free kick taken right-footed by David Luiz (Chelsea) from own half, resulting in open play.

77:59

Foul by Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea) on Anders Lindegaard (Man Utd). Free kick taken right-footed by Anders Lindegaard (Man Utd) from own half, resulting in open play.

76:50

Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Frank Lampard (Chelsea) to far post, clearance by Phil Jones (Man Utd). Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Juan Mata (Chelsea) to centre, clearance by Jonny Evans (Man Utd). Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Juan Mata (Chelsea) to near post, resulting in open play.

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Comments

@971Do you know what MC has "admitted privately that he wished he had not sent off Fernando Torres" (DailyMail). Video evidence shows that Evans, never touched the ball, toed Torres shin with his right foot.Isn't that a wrongful sending off that adversely affected the outcome of the game? Notwithstanding the Chica's offside goal.@971Will MC admit publicly that he made the mistakes?

#971 - Isn't post-rationalisation wonderful? Fair to say that Clattenburg & his Asst made two mistakes in the CFC v MU PL game which guaranteed MU victory. After the first of these, Portuguese-speaking Ramires also made a mistake in thinking he heard something naughty in English which, if said, would've justified Mikel upset. Ref has received private apology. Did he reciprocate?

You need to relax guys you've won the league. Not keen on some of Utd players but can admire them and wouldn't want to have their legs broken. Shorter players are always complaining about elbowing but most often it just blocking with the upper arm.He only got sent off for kicking the player after the ball had gone I think you need to blame Rafael for losing his temper.

@967 . Do you really want to talk about mark clattenburg? your players, club and fans should all be ashamed after that particular incident. Although the way you support your captain it doesnt surprise me.

@969 As opposed to the two kicks Ramires had that were unpunished?"It's justice for Torres at the bridge" - What, a yellow card for a dive? Perhaps Rafael & Valencia should claim that they were racially abused by Webb?

You have to love the non biased ManU fans. David Luiz is a disgrace for smiling after being kicked, but no mention of the totally sporting Rafeal who had 2 kicks at Luiz BEFORE the petulant off the ball kick. Obviously that sort of behaviour is totally commendable.It's justice for Torres at the bridge. Great to see Fergie apopleptic.

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